John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

During Mr. Callinan's opening statement he made some very relevant comments regarding where the force is today. He spoke about the policing plan and its objectives and efficiencies and effectiveness in resource allocation and deployment so as to enhance the policing service. He spoke about doing a lot more with less and making the organisation as efficient and productive as possible, as well as achieving organisational reform. There are a lot of challenges in all of that. The gardaí have changed and the new rostering system has proven that the force can change effectively. We are in a situation in which, as a nation, we are changing because we are in an economic crisis. Every organisation and Department is in that frame right now.

With the Chairman's indulgence, I raised an issue with the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, Mr. Brian Purcell, when he was here last week - namely, the proposed plan to close a large number of rural Garda stations. It is important, if we go down this road, that this is presented carefully to the public, particularly to those living in rural areas who are used to having a Garda station in their communities. As I said last week, when such people, having heard that their town councils, local banks and post offices would close, hear that their Garda station will also close, will be very concerned. If the plan is to reorganise in order to effect better policing - and having spoken to the chief superintendent in my area, that seems to be the plan - then that must be presented very carefully and clearly to the public when the list of stations to close, which could be more than 80, is published. This is not a criticism, but my experience of the force is that it is sometimes very focused. It is no reflection on Mr. Callinan, but there have been times in the past when it has had tunnel vision in the sense that it sets out its goal and does not consider the peripheral issues that need to be explained to the public. The force needs to be careful in how it presents this programme of closures. Obviously, personal issues will change with regard to this plan coming into force but I ask Mr. Callinan to comment on my concern regarding how this is presented and explained to people, if it is a plan to make policing more effective, particularly in rural areas.